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rünwald © Copyright 2013 by Ludwig Doblinger (Bernhard Herzmansky) KG, Wien www.Doblinger-MusikVerlag.at BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS  Composed in but a few weeks by a youth in his mid twenties, Polnische Hochzeit, published by a division of Universal Edition premiered on April 3, 1937 at the Zurich Opera House.  During the 11 months following its premiere, it was performed internationally on over 40 stages and translated into 8 languages, sometimes bearing, as in Finland, the alternative title of Masurkka.  In 1938, Maurice Lehmann, then director of the Théâtre du Châtelet, scheduled it for a French premiere starring Jan Kiepura and Marta Eggerth. Simultaneously, tenor superstar Richard Tauber was slated to be featured in a high profile Viennese production.  Published by the Stockholm-based Arvid Englind Publishing Co., the opera continued to be performed with tremendous success in Scandanavia from 1939 until the beginning of the 21st century despite the composer's lack of cooperation (please see www.JosephBeerComposer.com for further detail.)  With the advent of the Anschluss March of 1938, the name of the "Jew Beer" was taken off the roster of the Theater an der Wien among others. With his life at stake, the composer had to flee Vienna, and all plans of performing Polnische Hochzeit were hence abruptly and permanently ended.  Presently under contract with the prestigious European publisher Doblinger Musikverlag. Polnische Hochzeit was revived in Vienna (2012) and in Germany (2013,) and performances and recordings featuring major artists and theatres/orchestras are in the works. All piano-vocal and engraved orchestral scores available from Doblinger Musikverlag. LYRICS/TRANSLATIONS: KASIMIR Katzenaugen, süsse Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, sweet cats' eyes, sie funkeln durch die Nacht, They shine through the night, Katzenaugen, wilde Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, wild cats' eyes, ihr habt mich toll gemacht! You've driven me mad! Katzenaugen, heisse Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, hot cats' eyes, sie halten dich im Bann, They hold you in their power, aber nimm dich in acht, So beware, nimm dich in acht, Beware, sei auf der Hut, Be on your guard, wilde Katzenaugen seh'n dich an! For wild cats' eyes are watching you! SUZA Schöne Frauenaugen Beautiful women's eyes gibt es ohne Zahl. Are a dime a dozen, Schwarze, braune, blaue, Be they black, brown, or blue, jenach Wünsch und Wahl. According to each person's whim and wish. KASIMIR Ist aber grau das Aug der Frau, How boring then are women's eyes, Erbebt mein Blut in wilder Glut! My blood quivers with wild passion for SUZA/KASIMIR Katzenaugen, süsse Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, sweet cats' eyes, sie funkeln durch die Nacht, They shine through the night, Katzenaugen, wilde Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, wild cats' eyes, ihr habt mich toll gemacht! You've driven me mad! Katzenaugen, heisse Katzenaugen, Cats' eyes, hot cats' eyes, sie halten dich im Bann, They hold you in their power, aber nimm dich in acht, So beware, nimm dich in acht, Beware, sei auf der Hut, Be on your guard, wilde Katzenaugen seh'n dich an! For wild cats' eyes are watching you! CREDITS: Robert McFarland, International Dramatic Baritone RobertMcFarlandBaritone.com Béatrice Beer, Soprano BéatriceBeer.com Kim Barroso, Piano Benjamin Kall, Audio Engineer www.BenjaminKallProductions.com Hillary Onitsky, Montage www.PangeaWorld.com Christian Steiner, Photo (Béatrice Beer) Giacomo Puccini/Joseph Beer Photo Montage: Artist Suzanne Beer © Copyright 2013 by Ludwig Doblinger (Bernhard Herzmansky) KG, Wien www.Doblinger-MusikVerlag.at